Listening to MIlo

The last couple of days I have been again inspired by the work of Linda Tellington-Jones. Let me begin; last week I had a lesson on Wesley, using something Sarah referred to as a "Root Rein". This Root Rein used the same concept behind Tellington-Jones' Balance Rein, only it uses an elastic band along the base in connection with the neck. The idea, as Sarah described it for my purpose, was to not only help solidify the concept behind the outside rein for me, but it encourages the horse to lift at the wither (or the root as Sarah put it, since in Yoga our root (pelvic area) is where we lift in the saddle). I had an incredible lesson and discovered the benefits of utilizing that Root Rein.

After that lesson, I not only have a more invested interest in using this Root Rein on Milo, but diving back into some of the work from Tellington-Jones. I was reviewing her book, as well as exploring her website and YouTube. The following day, I returned to the barn with a bit more clarity as to the connections available between my horse and I. Not only through touch, solidifying the positive mirror neurons connected between he and I, but remembering the importance of listening to my horse, not just running through the motions.

I arrived at the barn, eager to use some of Linda's methods to reconnect my horse to his feet, and to try the Tellington Touch on Milo. When I arrived at his stall, things changed. Instead of the ever eager and cheerful Milo greeting me, he had half pinned ears and a less-than-enthused look on his face. "What's the matter, Milo?" I asked as I haltered him and put him in the cross ties. After grooming all of the mud off of his legs and haunches, his demeanor still had not changed. I thought I should spend some time trying the TTouch with Milo, and see what it might do.

Surprisingly after only a few touches along his back, he breathed out a little bit and his eye got softer. I continued with the touch along his haunches and his neck. Milo relaxed his head and neck and licked his lips. I repeated the touch all over his right side as well.

Content that Milo was on a happier note, I went to the tack room to retrieve my saddle pad. I wanted to use my Dressage Whip to run along his legs and give him more awareness of the ground beneath his hooves as well. But first, I gently tossed the saddle pad onto his back. Milo's reaction was huge. He lifted and tensed his neck, pinned his ears and glared at me. I rubbed on his neck a little but it didnt do much. "Are your ribs out again, Milo?" I unclipped him and lifted his leg, asking him to turn his head around the opposite side and push his rib back into place. I repeated on the other side, then stretched both front legs forward as well. I patted him and put the pad back on. Much less resistance was displayed this time, so I proceeded with the saddle, still taking my time. He wasn't content, but certainly not upset like before when I put the saddle on.

I cinched him up loosely, then used the dressage whip to run up and down all four legs a few times, as he relaxed a leg and licked his lips again. I momentarily thought about putting my boots with the spurs on, but instead kept my Georgia Romeos on, and reached for the snaffle bridle instead of the lifter bit. I had been wanting to go back to the snaffle for a couple rides again, and today felt like a good day to use it. I led him up to the arena, not exactly having a plan in mind, but I wanted to stay soft and responsive to Milo's needs. I got in the saddle and breathed in and exhaled through my mouth, trying to release any tension in my body with each exhale.

We worked in the arena for a bit, and I was surprised by how responsive Milo was and how quickly his demeanor had changed from earlier. He had been so grumpy when I first greeted him, and now we loped around the arena and his ears were pricked forward, swiveling forward and back listening but content. I then worked on the walk jog western pattern I planned to go into at the schooling show this weekend, and was incredibly pleased with how responsive Milo was, the first time running through the pattern. I dismounted and put the halter on, working on our showmanship pattern (thats right! This horse show (unfortunately) is not offering reining like they did last month, so instead we are going into showmanship, pattern classes and possibly a western pleasure class. Definitely a show to have fun at and not worry about my lead changes). Again, Milo pleased me with a responsive pattern and seemed to remember everything spot on from three years ago when we last worked on showmanship.

I was so pleased with my horse, and equally amazed by how his attitude could turn around. From sour and in a mood to pleasant and willing,  the only changes from me were that I actually took those cues in from Milo instead of going about my routine. Listening to the horse certainly pays off, as well as staying soft in my mind and body.

Evaluating Hair Whorls and Profile

Horse & Rider Magazine posted an interesting article on Horse Hair and Swirl Patterns. It discusses beliefs from multiple trainers on the value of whorls on horses, as well as coat colors. In the article, it mentioned Linda Tellington-Jones as being a forefront trainer in the study. This popped out to me because Linda Tellington-Jones is the trainer who Peggy Cummings seemed to be inspired from, and she takes a lot of ideas and concepts in her work from Linda. In the Horse & Rider article, the title of one of Linda's books was provided, so I went onto Amazon to see if I could take a peak inside. What I found seemed quiet interesting.

Throughout my short life, I have heard many people say how horse color and whorl patterns can be indicative for horse's personalities, but I never knew what each one could represent. Linda Tellington-Jones' book, Getting in Touch; Understand and Influence your Horse's Personality, gives some great images and descriptions of horse facial and body whorls. Here is what I gathered for Milo, although the study is not always completely accurate.

When I purchased Milo I noticed the interesting, and many, whorl patterns on his face. I always seemed to hear that whorls indicated a good thing for horses and their temperaments, but I didnt know how indicative they really could be. The above photo is hard to see, but Milo has one prominent one in the center of his forehead, and two a bit about it on either side of the white further up his head. They arent completely underneath the forelock, and they are uneven, the right being higher than the left. What might this mean?

According to Linda Tellington-Jones' book, it can mean a variety of things. Lets begin with the center whorl (Image and text excerpted from Linda's book).

"This pattern and position is the standard one displayed by the majority of the horses in our studies and in my observations. It indicates a horse with a generally uncomplicated nature, but there are variations. Sometimes swirls are set a little to one side or the other. 


With swirls set to the left as you face the animal, (as is Milo, but only slightly) the horse will tend to be a touch more complicated but still trustworthy. Horses who have a swirl set a bit to the right of center may be less cooperative than those with the pattern in the center or to the left. 


In general, swirls of this sort are less indicative of character than the more complex patterns."


This seems to hold true for Milo, but as she stated, it reveals less of character than some of the other patterns. Let's visit the next one then.

 "Three swirls close together on the forehead (not up under the forelock): Triple swirls are rare; very few are reported in the survey. However, from my own observations in the ensuing years, I've seen that, in geldings and mares, the triple swirl indicates a complex individual but not an unpredictable one. Stallions, however, are another story entirely - about 80 percent of the stallions I've observed with this marking have exhibited unreliable , often dangerous behavior. 


Those more rare, I have seen cases of multiple swirls on the face, and would venture to say that such patterns would ten to indicate complex horses. Many years ago I was a judge at a horse show in California, and in the line up I noticed a small, liver chestnut mare who had an amazing 16 swirls on her face. 


It turned out that she was a very successful junior jumper, but her owner, a 15 year-old boy, was the only one who could ride her. The young man said she had been very difficult to train initially, but now she was attached to him and would do anything for him."


This seems most interesting to me in concern to Milo. I would certainly agree that Milo is a complex horse with a wide range of emotion. I would also venture to guess that he would have been an absolutely terrible stallion to handle (and I have thought that as long as I have owned him, long before ever reading this). The final story Linda provides feels close to home as well. Milo was a difficult horse to begin working with, who resisted and displayed aggression. However, he soon learned to trust me, and he would do just about anything for me. I have already spoke in a recent blog post about his behavior towards others, which makes this excerpt from Linda's book most interesting, and therefore, more validity in the terms of whorls. 


I havent explored the rest of the book yet, but it has been a most interesting read. I did read, however, on the profile and shape of a horse's head, and I thought it's meaning tied into the swirl markings was most interesting. However, I couldnt seem to pinpoint one particular profile, so I collaborated a few. 

I see Milo being a combination between Profile 1, Straight Profile, and 5, Moose Nose. What?? Moose nose? How unflattering, but in truth. 

 With a straight profile, Linda states, "A horse who is very uncomplicated and learns easily". 


This is most interesting because from the swirl patterns, it seems Milo is a complex horse. But I must add that he is a quick horse, who learns easily, and I have always said this in my four years with him. He is smart and bored easily, but learns new concepts very, very quickly. 


So what about the nose?

"Moose Nose: This shows up as a bulge on the lower part of the nose and usually indicates a horse with a strong character, frequently a herd leader. A horse with a dish face that is complimented with a moose nose will be sensitive, but bold rather than timid."


Ahh, I must agree that Milo is a strong character, who (as we know) displays dominance and leadership in humans and horses. While I dont think his moose nose is as large as indicated in the photo, it still seems prevalent and worth noting, and this description (aside from the dished head) seems to match well with Milo's personality. 


What I find really interesting between the two, are that he "scored" a 1 and 5 for both swirl pattern and profile. Any correlation between the two? Or am I now reading too far into this all? Does this seem just like an old wives tale, or do you think it bears any prevalence to your horse? Check out her book and take a peak 
inside with Amazon and see what you might find. It's an interesting read nonetheless.